Switching apparatus for telephone systems



Aug. 19, 1952 H. SENGE B USCH 2,607,856

SWITCHING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS I Original Filed Dec. 18, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. Hans Sengebusch Aug. 19, 1952 H. SENGEBUSCH SWITCHING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. 18. 1947 INVENTOR. Hans Sengebusch Aug 19, 1952 H. SENGEBUSCH 2,607,856

SWITCHING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS Original Filed Dec. 18, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 F G 2 B INVENTOR.

Hans Sengebusch Affys.

'5 Sheets-Sheet 4 H. SENGEBUSCH INVENTOR. Hans Sengebusch Affys.

6 mm Lm Aug. 19, 1952 SWITCHING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS Original Filed Dec. 18, 1947 Aug. 19, 1952 H. SENGEBUSCH 2,607,856

SWITCHING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS Original Filed Dec. 18, 1947 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Hans Sengebusch Patented Aug. 19, 1952 UNITED SWITCHING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS Hans Sengebusch, Villa Park, 111., assignor to Automatic Electric Laboratories, Inc., Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Original application December 18, 1947, Serial N 0. 792,510. Divided and this application June 29, 1950, Serial No. 171,016

Claims.

The present invention relates to switching apparatus for telephone systems, and more particularly to such apparatus of the so-called X-Y motions or fiat type. This application is a division of the copending application of Hans Sengebusch, Serial No. 792,510, filed December 18, 1947, now Patent No. 2,578,095, granted December 11, 1951.

It is an object of the present invention to provide in switching apparatus of the type including a primary carriage and asecondary carriage, improved mechanism for selectively operating the primary and secondary carriages and for restoring the secondary and primary carriages.

Another object of the invention is to provide in switching apparatus of the type noted, improved escapement controlled spring mechanism for selectively operating the primary and secondary carriages and improved mechanism of the direct drive type for restoring the secondary and primary carriages.

A further object of the invention is to provide in automatic switching apparatus, including a drive bar, improved motor means for selectively controlling operation and restoration of the drive bar.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in automatic switching apparatus, including a drive bar, improved escapement controlled spring mechanism for governing movement of the drive bar in one direction, improved transmission mechanism for governing movement of the drive bar in the opposite direction, and common motor means for selectively operating the two mechanisms mentioned.

Further features of the invention pertain to the particular arrangement of the elements of the switching apparatus, whereby the aboveoutlined and additional operating features thereof are attained.

The invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following specification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Figs. 1 and 1A, taken together, are a plan view, partly broken away, of a first form of switching apparatus, embodying the present invention; Figs. 2 and 2A, taken together, are

a front elevational view, partly broken away, of

the first form of switching apparatus mentioned; Figs. 1 and 1B, taken together, are a plan view, partly broken away, of a'second form of switching apparatus, embodying the present'invention; Figs. 2 and 2B, taken together, are a front elevational view, partly broken away, of the second form of switching apparatus mentioned; Fig. 3 is a bottom view of a fragmentary central portion of the base plate of the switching apparatus shown in Fig. 1, common to the two forms thereof mentioned, illustrating the cooperation between the primary carriage thereof and an associated set of control contacts; Fig. 4 is a fragmentary inverted front elevational view, taken in the direction of the arrows along the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, of the central portion of the base plate of the switching apparatus and associated elements; Fig. 5 is a plan view of a contact bank unit that may be associated with either of the two forms of switching apparatus mentioned; and .Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end view of the unit shown in Fig. 5.

Accordingly, the drawings, Figs. 1, 1A, 2 and 2A illustrate the structural details of the first form of switching apparatus; Figs. 1, 1B, 2 and 2B illustrate the structural details of the second form of switching apparatus; Figs. 3 and 4 illustrate carriage details common to the two forms of switching apparatus mentioned; and Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate contact bank details common to the two forms of switching apparatus mentioned.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1,, 1A, 2 and 2A, the switching apparatus there illustrated comprises the first form of the switching mechanism [00A of the direct drive type, contact bank structure and supporting structure including two vertically extending and longitudinally spaced apart elementsdOl' and 42 and two horizontally extending and longitudinally spaced apart elements 4&3 and 404. The switching mechanism [00A comprises a longitudinally extending base plate 32 provided with an upwardly turned front flange 32a and a rearwardly extending apron 32b. The base plate 32 is supported upon the horizontal elements 493 and 494 and the rear edge thereof abuts the front edges of the vertical elements 401 and 402, the apron 322) being arranged between the longitudinally spaced apart vertical elements 4 5i and 4&2; whereby the normal position of the base plate 32 is accurately located by the vertical elements 49 l and 4&2 upon the horizontal elements 423 and 404 so that the switching mechanism ltllA occupies a predetermined and exact position with respect to the associated contact bank 65. The base plate 32 is normally retained in its normal position by locking devices disposed at theopposite ends thereof and cooperating with the horizontal elements 503 and 404; the locking element 405 carried by the right-hand end of the 3 base plate 32 being illustrated. Specifically, the locking element 405 is pivotally mounted by a screw 466 upon the front flange 32a and cooperates with a, locking dog 401 secured by a screw 408 to the horizontal element 404. Thus it will be understood that the base plate 32 may be readily removed with respect to the supporting structure, including the vertical elements 49| and 402 and the horizontal elements 403 and 464, merely by sliding it toward the front away from the contact bank 65 after the locking elements ual contact unit I2 comprising twenty individual contact strips. Each individual contact unit I2 is of the bare contact strip type extending vertically in the contact bank 65. The contact bank 65 is accessible to a number of switching mechanisms including the switching mechanism IOBA, carried by the supporting structure in a vertical tier; whereby the contact bank 65 serves as a multiple between the different switching mechanisms for marking purposes.

All of the elements of the switching mechanism 560A are secured to the base plate 32 so that they are properly positioned with respect to the contact bank 65 when the base plate 32 is positioned upon the supporting structure as previously explained. Specifically, the switching mechanism IODA comprises contact controlling mechanism in the form of eight main individual wipers I, 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 6 and I, 8; the individual wipers 3, and constituting a first Wiper set having access to 100 lines, and the individual wipers 2, 4, 6 and 8 constituting a second wiper set having access to 100 lines. Specifically, the wipers and 2 may comprise positive line wipers having access to the positive line conductors of the two groups of 100 lines each; the wipers 3 and 4 may comprise negative line wipers having access to the negative line conductors of the two groups of 100 lines each; the wipers 5 and 6 may comprise first control wipers having access to the first control conductors of the two groups of 100 lines each; and the wipers I and 8 may comprise second control wipers having access to the second control conductors of the two groups of 100 lines each.

The two wiper sets are capable both of selective primary or longitudinal movement from the left toward the right and of selective secondary or lateral movement from the front toward the rear. Specifically, the two wiper sets are capable of ten individual steps of longitudinal movement and of ten individual steps of lateral movement. Since each of the four sections of the contact bank 65 are respectively associated with two corresponding ones of the individual wipers, each of the 200 lines is accessible to the two wiper sets. Moreover, when a given number of steps of longitudinal movement is imparted to the two wiper sets, the four corresponding contact units 12 are selected thereby; and when a given number of steps of lateral movement is imparted to the two wiper sets, eight individual contact strips comprising two lines in the four selected contact units 12 are selected. Accordingly, each combined longitudinal andlateral position of the two wiper sets corresponds to two individual lines in the contact bank 65 respectively selected by the two wiper sets. Finally, the first wiper set comprising the individual wipers 3, 5 and l is connected by a first set of flexible conductors, not shown, to a first terminal block, not shown, carried by the base plate 32; and the second wiper set comprising the individual wipers 2, 4, 6 and 8 is connected by a second set of flexible conductors, not shown, to a second terminal block, not shown, carried by the base plate 32. V

Considering now the construction of the switching mechanism WA in greater detail, the base plate 32 carries a longitudinally extending guide rod 3|, the opposite ends of which are anchored in openings formed in two blocks 33 directly secured to the upper surface of the base plate 32. A longitudinally slidable primary carriage I6 is supported upon the guide rod 3| and comprises two centrally disposed rearwardly extending arms I3 and 2B and two outer rearwardly extending arms 34 and 35, as well as a centrally disposed forwardly projecting arm Mia. The arms 34 and 35 carry downwardly projecting blocks 36 provided with openings through which the guide rod 3| extends; while the arm |6a carries a downwardly projecting fixture IIib having a longitudinally extending slot, not shown, formed in the rear edge thereof into which the upper flange I60 of a guide element Iiid rides, the guide element |6d being secured by two screws IGe upon the front flange 32a of the base plate 32. Finally, the outer ends of the arms I9 and 20 carry a longitudinally extending bracket 2G0 disposed adjacent to the rear edge of the apron 32b; the bracket 200 being secured to the outer ends of the arms l9 and 20 by two screws 26011. The primary carriage I6 has a normal longitudinal position toward the left and is capable of longitudinally sliding movement toward the right; the primary carriage I6 being guided in its primary movement by the cooperation between the fixture I6b carried by the arm I6a and the flange |6c of the guide element Hid carried by the front flange 32a of the base plate 32 and by the cooperation between the blocks 36 carried by the arms 34 and 35 and the guide rod 3 I.

A laterally slidable secondary carriage 9 is carried by the primary carriage I6; the secondary carriage 9 being substantially'T-shaped having a forwardly projecting stem 9a overlying the arm |6a of the primary carriage I6 and a longitudinally extending head 9b overlying the arms 34 and 35 of the primary carriage IS. The outer end of the stem 9a carries a downwardly extending rivet 22 provided with a groove positioned in a laterally extending slot 2| formed in the arm Ilia. Also the left-hand side'of the arm' |6a carries an upstanding pin 22a, carrying a roller 22b engaging the left-hand edge of the stem 90.. Finally, two rollers I! are mounted on the lower surface of the head 9b and respectively engage the outer edge of the arm I9 and the outer edge of the arm 20. The secondary carriage 9 has a normal lateral position toward the front and is capable of lateral sliding movement with respect to the primary carriage l6; the lateral sliding movement being guided by the cooperation between the rivet 22 and the'slot 2| by the coonaeo'nesc eration between the roller 22b and the adjacent edge of the stem 9a and by the cooperation between the rollers 11 and the adjacent outer edges of the arms 19 and 20.

The head 9b of the secondary carriage 9 carries four longitudinally spaced apart brackets 19, ll, 12 and I3 respectively secured thereto by screws Ida, Ila, 12a and 13a. The bracket I9 carries two rivets 14 supporting the main wipers I and 2 in longitudinally spaced apart relation with respect to each other by virtue of an arrangement including a plurality of intervening insulating strips; the bracket l I carries two rivets 14 supporting the main wipers 3 and 4 in longitudinally spaced apart relation with respect to each other by virtue of an arrangement including a plurality of intervening insulating strips; the bracket 12 carries two rivets l4 supporting the main wipers 5 and 6 in longitudinally spaced apart relation with respect to each other by virtue of an arrangement including a plurality of intervening insulating strips; and the bracket 13 carries two rivets I4 supporting the main wipers 1 and 8 in longitudinally spaced apart relation with respect to each other by virtue of an arrangement including a plurality of intervening insulating strips. The bracket 292'} carries four longitudinally spaced apart upstanding insulating bushings 291, 292, 293 and 294 disposed between the respective pairs of main wipers l, 2 and 3, 4 and 5, '6 and 1, 8 in order to maintain the individual wipers of each pair cut of contact with each other when they occupy their full retracted positions toward the front of the base plate 32.

The primary carriage [6 comprises a normal longitudinal position and may be moved step by step therefrom in the longitudinal direction from the left toward the right as previously noted; and the secondary carriage 9 comprises a normal lateral position and may be moved step by step therefrom in the lateral direction from the front toward the rear as previously noted. In order to accomplish these movements of the primary carriage l6 and of the secondary carriage 9, an arrangement is provided comprising a longitudinally extending drive bar 39 in the form of a rack having a normal longitudinal position toward the left and capable or" stepped movement in the longitudinal direction toward the right. The longitudinal movement of the rack 39 is guided by a stationary fixture 95 secured to the right-hand end of the base plate 32 and having a slot formed therein receiving and guiding the right-hand end of the rack 30 and by a roller 39a. mounted upon a pin 39b carried by the primary carriage iii. The rack 30 is normally restrained in its normal longitudinal position toward the left by a coil spring 89, one end of the coil spring 89 being secured to a pin 91 carried by the base plate 32 and the other end of the coil spring 89 being secured to a pin 99 carried by the rack 39.

The primary carriage [6 has an opening 23 formed therein through which a vertically disposed pin 26 extends, the upper end of the pin 29 being arranged in an opening formed in a bracket 21 secured to the primary carriage l6 and the lower end being secured to a lower fixture, not shown, carried by the primary carriage 13. Upper and lower gears 25 and 29 are rigidly secured to the pin 26, the lower gear 29 meshing with the teeth provided on the front side of the rack '39 and the gear 25 meshing with teeth provided on a, rack portion 24 of the stem 9a. Accordingly, the secondary carriage 9 comprises the rack 24 meshing with the gear 25 carried by 6 the pin 29., and the rack 39 meshes with the gear 29 carried by the pin 26.

Further the primary carriage 16 carries a downwardly projecting pivot pin 39 supporting the left-hand end of a latch lever 31 as well as a leaf spring 38 urging the latch lever 3'! in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 39. The right-hand end of the latch lever 31 carries a rearwardly projecting latch 40 normally engaging a notch 42 formed in the front edge of the rack 30 and a forwardly projecting latch 4l adapted to engage any one of ten notches 43 provided in an upstanding latch plate 44 secured to the front flange 32a adjacent to the right-hand end thereof. The notches 43 formed in the latch plate 44 are spaced apart distances corresponding to the longitudinal steps of the primary carriage 16. Accordingly, it will be understood that the leaf spring 38 normally urges the latch 40 into the notch 42 formed in the rack 30 thereby latching the primary carriage 16 to the rack 30. In order to control the position of the latch lever 31, an arrangement is provided comprising a shift magnet 96A provided with magnetic structure secured to the right-hand end of the base plate 32. The shift magnet 96A carries a pivot pin 98 upon which an armature 91 is mounted, the outer end of the armature 91 carrying a pin I09 to which the rear end of a slide 99 is secured. The body portion of the slide 99 is bent downwardly and arranged in a guiding opening 990. formed in the base plate 32 and the front end of the slide 99 carries a pin I01 to which the left-hand end of a lever I92 is secured, the right-hand end of the lever I02 being secured to a screw I93 carried by the base plate 32. Finally, the front end of the slide 99 carries a longitudinally extending upstanding trip 46 disposed between the front of the rack 39 and a downwardly projecting lug 31a formed on the extreme right-hand end of the latching lever 31. Accordingly, the leaf spring 38 not only biases the latching lever 31 in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 39, but it also causes the lug 31a carried thereby to engage the trip 46 and urge it toward the rear; whereby the slide 99 is moved toward the rear rotating the lever I02 in the clockwise direction about the screw I93 and rotating the armature 91 in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 98.

In order to control movement of the rack 39 from its normal longitudinal position toward the right, an arrangement is provided comprisin a drive magnet 15A provided with magnetic structure including a heel piece 11 secured to the righthand end of the base plate 32. The heel piece 11 carries a pivot pin 19 upon which an armature 18 is pivotally mounted. Also the right-hand end of the base plate 32 carries an upstanding pin a upon which an upper ratchet 88 and a lower gear 85 are journaled, the ratchet 88 being rigidly secured to the gear 35. The teeth provided on the gear 85 engage corresponding teeth 39a formed on the front edge of the rack 30; and the ratchet 88 cooperates with a pawl 81 carried by the armature 18. More particularly, the pawl 81 is pivotally mounted on a pivot pin 81a disposed on the outer end of the armature 18 and is normally biased in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 81a into engagement with the ratchet 88 by an arrangement comprising a coil spring 38 extending between the armature 18 and the outer left-hand end of the pawl 81. The armature 18 is normally biased in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 19 by an arrangement including a coil spring 84, one end of the coil spring 84 being secured to an upstanding pin 84a carried by the base plate 32 and the other end of the coil spring 84 being secured to the extreme outer end of the armature I8. Also the extreme outerend of thearmature I8 carries a detent 86 adapted to cooperate with the teeth on the gear 85 in a manner more fully explained hereinafter. Further a detent 92 is pivotally mounted upon the fixture'95 by a pivot pin 93 and is normally biased in the clockwise direction into engagement with the ratchet 88 by an arrangement including a coil spring 94 extending between the detent 92 and the fixture 95.

Further the switching mechanism IUOA comprises a release magnet .I85A provided with magnetic structure secured to the right-hand end of the base plate 32. The release magnet I85A is provided with an armature I86 mounted upona pivot pin IDIi carried by the base plate 32 and cooperating with a release dog I89 mounted upon a pivot pin I I8 carried by the base plate 32. The release dog I89 is normally biasedin the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I I8 by an arrangement including a coil pring I89a extending between the release dog I89 and the fixture 95. The left-hand end of the release dog I89 comprises two fingers I I I and I I2 respectively disposed between the detent 92 and the ratchet 88 and between the pawl 81 and the ratchet 88.

Considering now the operation of the switch ing mechanism [88A, the primary carriage l8 normally occupies its normal longitudinal position toward theleft; the secondary carriage 9 normally occupies its normal lateral position toward the front; and the rack 38 normally occupies its normal longitudinal position toward the left. Moreover, the latch lever 31 is normally biased by the leaf spring 38 in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 39; whereby the latch 48 engages the notch 42 formed in the rack 38 looking the primary carriage I8 to the rack 38. At this time, when the winding of the drive magnet 15A is energized, the armature 18 is attracted and rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I9 against the bias of the coil spring 84, whereby the pawl 81 engaging the associated tooth on the ratchet 88 rotates the ratchet 88 and consequently the gear 85 one step in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 85a. At the end of the stroke, the detent 88 formed on the outer end of the armature I8 engages the associated tooth on the gear 85 preventing further rotation thereof in the clockwise direction. Also, at this time, the detent 92 urged by the coil spring 94 rides over one tooth on the ratchet 88 and engages the next adjacent tooth thereon, thereby to prevent return movement of the ratchet 88 in the counterclockwise direction. When the winding of .the drive magnet 15A is then deenergized, the armature T8 is released and rotated in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin I9 by the coil spring 84, the detent 89 disengaging the associated tooth on the ratchet 88 in order to condition the pawl 81 to drive the ratchet 88 an additional step in the clockwise direction. When the gear 85 is thus rotated one step in the clockwise direction, the teeth thereon engaging the teeth 38a on the rack 38 slide the rack 38 from its normal longitudinal position one step toward the right against the bias of the coil spring 89; When the rack 38 is thus driven from its normal longitudinal position one step toward the right, the primary carriage I6 latched thereto by the latch 48 moves therewith from its-normal longitudinal position one step toward the right. When the primary carriage I6 is driven away from its normal longitudinal position one step toward the right, the two wiper sets are brought into longitudinal alignment with respect to the two corresponding first groups of ten lines in the two 100-line groups in the associated contact bank 65. Thus it will be understood that by energizing the winding of the drive magnet 15A a number of times, while the primary carriage I6 is latched to the rack 38 by the latch 48, the primary carriage I8 is driven a corresponding number of steps away from its normal longitudinal position toward the right in order to cause the two wiper sets to select the two corresponding groups of ten lines in the two 100-line groups in the associated contact bank 85.

After the primary carriage It has been operated as described above the required number of steps away from its normal longitudinal position, the winding of the shift magnet 98A is energized; whereby the armature 91 is attracted and rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 98 moving the slide 99 toward the front of the base plate 32 through the pin I88. When the slide 99 is thus moved toward the front of the base plate 32 the lever I82 is rotated about the screw I03 due to the connection of the slide 99 thereto by the pin IOI; whereby the trip 46 is moved toward the front flange 32a rotating the latch lever 31 in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 39 against the bias of the leaf spring 38 due to the engagement between the trip 48 and the lug 31a carried by the latch lever 31. More particularly, when the primary carriage I6 is moved away from its normal longitudinal position one or more steps in the longitudinal direction toward the right, the latch lever 31 is moved therewith and into alignment with a corresponding one of the notches 43 formed in the latch plate 48. Accordingly, at this time when the latch lever 31 is rotated by the trip 46 in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 39, the latch 48 disengages the notch 42 formed in the rack 38 and the latch 4I engages the aligned notch 43 formed in the latch plate 44; hence, the primary carriage I6 is unlatched from the rack 38 by the disengagement of the latch 48 and the notch 42; and the primary carriage I8 is latched against further movement in the longitudinal direction by the engagement between the latch 4| and the aligned notch 43.

At this time while the winding of the shift magnet 96A is energized, the winding of the drive magnet 15A is energized; whereby the armature 18 causes the pawl 8! to drive the ratchet 88 an additional step in the clockwise direction causing the gear to drive the rack 38 an additional step in the longitudinal direction toward the right. At this time the smooth front surface of the rack 38 disposed between the teeth 38a formed on the right-hand end thereof and the teeth formed on the left-hand end thereof engaging the gear 25 rides to the right past the latch 48; whereby the notch 42 formed in the rack 38 is no longer aligned with respect to the latch 48. At this time the winding of the shift magnet 96A may be deenergized in order to release the armature 91; whereby the armature 97 is rotated only through a small angle in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 98 since the slide 99 is not forced rearwardly by the leaf spring 38 acting through the latching lever 31' and the trip 46. Specifically, the

end of the latch 49 engages the associated smooth front edge of the rack 3e relieving the force of the latch lever 31 upon the trip 99. Accordingly the smooth front surface of the rack 39 restrains the latch lever 31 in its rotated position in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 39; whereby the latch 9! is restrained in the aligned notch 43 formed in the latch plate 44.

Accordingly, at this time the primary carriage I6 is latched against further longitudinal movement and the rack 39 is free to slide with respect thereto; whereby the rack 39 is slid with respect to the primary carriage I6 effecting rotation of the gear 29 one step in the clockwise direction with the pivot pin 26. Thus the pin 28 is retated one step in the clockwise direction causing the gear 25 to be rotated therewith in order to drive the meshing rack 24 one step toward the rear of the base plate 32. Specifically, the secondary carriage 9 is moved away from its normal lateral position one step in the lateral direction toward the rear of the base plate 32 with respect to the primary carriage l6; whereby the two wiper sets supported by the secondary carriage 9 are driven into engagement with the first contact strips in the contact units 12 previously se lected by the longitudinal movement of the primary carriage I9. Thus the two wiper sets mentioned selected the first two corresponding lines in the previously selected two groups of ten lines each. Thus it will be understood that by energizing the winding of the drive magnet 15A an additional number of times following the energization of the winding of the shift magnet 99A and the consequent operation of the latch lever 31, the secondary carriage 9 may be driven a corresponding number of steps toward the rear of the base plate 32. Hence, it will be understood that by energizing the winding of the drive magnet 15A the additional number of times mentioned the secondary carriage 9 is driven 2. corresponding number of steps away from its normal lateral position toward the rear of the base plate 32 in order to cause the two wiper sets to select two corresponding lines in the two previously selected groups of ten lines each. Thereafter one of the two lines thus selected may be selected by external relays, not shown, merely by selecting one of the two wiper sets mentioned.

Recapitulating, primary operation of the drive magnet 15A prior to operation of the shift magnet 99A effects primary operation of the primary carriage I6; while secondary operation of the drive magnet 15A subsequent to operation of the shift magnet 99A efiects secondary operation of the secondary carriage 9. For example, in the event the drive magnet 15A is operated X number of times prior to operation of the shift magnet 96A, and is then operated Y number of times subsequent to operation of the shift magnet 96A, the primary carriage I9 is operated X steps in the longiudinal direction and the secondary carriage 9 is operated Y steps in the lateral direction; whereby the X longitudinal position and the Y lateral position set the two wiper sets carried by the secondary wiper carriage 9 to select the two corresponding lines in the two groups of 100 lines each.

In order to release the switching mechanism I99A, after operation thereof in the manner described above, the winding of the release magnet I95A is energized attracting and rotating the armature I99 in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I91; whereby the release dog I99 is rotated in the clockwise direction about the screw I I 9 against the bias of the coil spring I99a. When the release dog I99 is thus operated, the fingers III and H2 respectively engage the detent 92 and the pawl 81 rotating the detent 92 in the counterclockwise direction about the screw 93 against the bias of the coil spring 94 and rotating the pawl 81 in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 81a against the bias of the coil spring 88'. Accordingly, the detent 92 and the pawl 81 are moved out of engagement with the two corresponding teeth on the ratchet 98; whereby the ratchet 89 and the gear 85 are free to rotate upon the pin 85a. At this time the coil spring 89 restores the rack 39 toward the left causing the teeth on the left-hand end thereof to rotate the gear 29 in the counterclockwise direc" tion; whereby the pin 23 carrying the gear 25 is thus rotated bringing about retraction of the rack 29. More particularly, the gear 25 rotating in the counterclockwise direction drives the rack 24 toward the front of the base plate 32; whereby the secondary carriage 9 is slid with respect to the primary carriage l9 back into its normal lateral position. When the secondary carriage 9 is thus restored to its normal lateral position, the rack 39 has moved toward the left by the coil spring 89 to bring the notchv 42 formed therein into alignment with the latch 99 carried by the latch lever 31; whereby the leaf spring 38 rotates the latch lever 31 in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 39 forcing the latch 99 into the notch 42. Accordingly, at this time the latch 4| carried by the latch lever 31 disengages the associated notch 43 formed in the latch plate 9 whereby the primary carriage I9 is latched to the rack 99 for movement therewith and is unlatched with respect to the base plate 32. Continued movement of the rack 39 toward the left by the coil spring 89 effects sliding of the primary carriage I6 toward the left along the guide rod 9|. Accordingly, the rack 39 is restored toward the left back into its normal longitudinal position carrying the primary carriage I6 therewith; whereby the primary carriage I6 is restored toward the left back into its normal longitudinal position.

After the secondary carriage 9 and the primary carriage I9 have been released and restored back into the normal lateral position and the normal longitudinal positions thereof, respectively, the winding of the release magnet I950: is deen ergizecl; whereby the armature I96 is released and rotated in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin I91 by the coil spring l99a incident to rotation of the release dog I99 in the counterclockwise direction, thereby about the pivot pin H9. At this time the fingers II I and H2 carried by the release dog I99 disengage the detent 92 and a pawl 81, respectively; whereby the coil spring 99 rotates the detent 92 in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 93 back into engagement with an associated tooth of the ratchet 99 and the coil spring 89' rotates the pawl 31 in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 91c back into engagement with an associated tooth in the ratchet 89. At this time the switching mechanism IOOA is completely released.

Further the switching mechanism I99A comprises the primary control contact structure 295 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 and including an insulating base plate 295a secured to the lower surface of the central portion of the apron 32b of the base plate 32 adjacent to the rear edge thereof by a pair of screws 296 extending through tapped openings formed in the apron 32b. Also the structure 205 comprises two insulating bushings 206a surrounding the screws 205 and a conducting guide rail 21! extending therebetween. The guide rail 2 is disposed below the insulating base plate 205a and carries longitudinally slidable wiper structure 208 including two individual wipers 209 and 2m and a connecting insulator 2I3. A band 212a is secured to the insulator 213 and surrounds the guide rail 2 and the wiper 2l0 is provided with two downwardly extending tabs 2l2 embracing the sides of the guide rail 2. Further, the insulating base 205a carries a series of ten longitudinally spaced apart contacts 20'! cooperating with the wiper 209; the individual contacts 201 being spaced apart longitudinally distances corresponding to the respective steps of the primary carriage It in the longitudinal direction. Finally, the insulator 2l3 comprises two tabs 213a arranged in spaced apart relation and receiving a lug 214 secured to the lower surface of the bracket 200. The wiper structure 208 occupies a normal longitudinal position when the primary carriage It occupies its normal longitudinal position; and when the primary carriage I6 is moved step by step away from its normal longitudinal position toward the right, the wiper structure 208 is likewise moved away from its normal longitudinal position step by step toward the right. As noted above, the longitudinal spacings of the individual contacts 201 correspond to the steps of the primary carriage [6; whereby the =wiper 209 engages a given individual contact 201 when the primary carriage l occupies its corresponding longitudinal stepped position. Finally, the wiper 210 engages the guide rail 2!! at each step of the wiper structure 208. Thus it will be understood that the guide rail 2!! may be selectively connected to the individual contacts 201 at the corresponding individual steps of the primary carriage which arrangement may be employed for control and supersvisory purposes in an obvious manner.

Also the switching mechanism IO0A comprises a set of primary off-normal switch springs 41. The set of switch springs 41 is mounted upon a bracket 49 by suitable intervening insulating strips; which bracket 49 is suitably secured to the left-hand upper surface of the base plate 32. Also the switching mechanism 100A comprises a set of secondary off-normal switch springs 52. The set of switch springs 52 is mounted upon a bracket 50 by suitable intervening insulating strips; which bracket 50 is suitably secured to the left-hand upper surface of the base plate 32. The set of switch springs 41 is provided with an operating rod 48 slidably mounted in two aligned openings formed in the brackets 49 and 50 and carries an insulator 48a on the left-hand end thereof for operating the individual switch springs of the set 41. The right-hand end of the operating rod 48 engages a fixture 5| carried on the arm 34 of the primary carriage l6. Accordingly, when the primary carriage I0 is moved away from its normal longitudinal position one step toward the right, the fixture 5| disengages the right-hand end of the operating rod 48 causing the insulator 48a carried on the left-hand end of the operating rod 48 to operate the individual contacts of the set 41. A fixture 54 is secured to the left-hand upper surface of the base plate 32 and carries a pivot pin 54a upon which a bell-crank 53 is mounted. The bell-crank 53 is substantially L-shaped including one leg extending longitudinally toward the right and carrying a roller 55 and another leg extending forwardly and carrying a pivot pin 53a to which a link 56 is secured, the link 56 supporting an insulator 55a connected to the individual switch springs of the set 52. The roller 65 normally engages a fixture 55 secured to the secondary carriage 9. When the secondary carriage 9 is moved away from its normal lateral position one step toward the rear, the fixture 55 disengages the roller 65; whereby the bell-crank 53 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 54a causing the link 56 to operate, through the insulator 5611, the individual switch springs of the set 52. Accordingly, the set of switch springs 41 is operated when the primary carriage I5 is operated from the back to its normal longitudinal position; and similarly, the set of switch springs 52 is operated when the secondary carriage 9 is operated from and back to its normal lateral position.

Further the switch-ing apparatus [00A comprises a set of impulsing springs 58 mounted upon a bracket 59 by suitable intervening insulating strips; which bracket 59 is suitably secured to the left-hand upper surface of the base plate 32. The switch springs 58 are operated by an insulator 60a carried by a lever 60 mounted upon a pivot pin 6| and carrying a roller 62 on the outer end thereof that cooperates with a comblike fixture 63 suitably secured to the arm 34 of the primary carriage [6. As the primary carriage I6 is moved from its normal longitudinal position toward the right, the teeth on the comb-like fixture 63 carried thereby engage and disengage the roller 62; whereby the lever 60 is pivoted first in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin 0! and then in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 6|; whereby the insulator 60a carried thereby operates the set of switch springs 58 to transmit a corresponding series of impulses.

Considering now the construction and arrangement of the contact bank 65 associated with the switching apparatus WA in greater detail, it will be observed, as shown in Figs. 1, 1A, 5 and 6, that each of the four sections of the contact bank 65 comprises an assembly of ten individual contact units 72 retained in assembled relation by a plurality of bolt 13. Specifically each contact unit 12 comprises a centrally disposed insulating body 61 in the form of a flat strip having ten laterally spaced apart grooves formed in each surface thereof and carrying ten individual fiat strip conductors B6 on each surface thereof arranged in the grooves mentioned. The strip conductors 66 disposed on each side of the insulating body 61 are retained in place in the grooves mentioned by a series of vertically spaced apart clamps 12A. Each of the clamps 12A comprises front and rear insulating sheets 68 and 69 overlying the respective surfaces of the strip conductors 66 arranged in the grooves mentioned formed in the respective front and rear surfaces of the insulating body 61, front and rear clamping plates 68a and 69a and two intervening spacing blocks 10. Finally, the elements of each clamp 12A are retained in assembled relation by two eyelets Tl respectively extending through the spacing blocks 10, as well as the adjacent ends of the clamping plates 08a and 69a and the adjacent ends of the insulating sheets 68 and 09. The eyelets '10 are of the hollow variety having an opening extending therethrough adapted to receive the clamping bolts '13 previously noted;

whereby ten of the contact units 12 may be securely retained in stacked relation. The thickness of the insulating sheets 68 and 69 and the clamping plates 68c and 69a are such that the bodies 61 of each two adjacent contact units 12 are spaced longitudinally from each other a distance corresponding to one longitudinal step of the primary carriage I6 of the switching mechanism IGIIA so that when the ten assembled contact units 12 comprising a section in the contact bank 65 are supported by the associated supporting structure adjacent to the switching mechanism IUIIA that the contact strips 66 carried by the bodies 61 are spaced longitudinally corresponding to the various longitudinally stepped positions of the two associated main wipers carried by the secondary carriage 9. Also it is noted that the clamps 12A are spaced vertically apart in order to define a plurality of effective contact sections of each contact unit 12 therebetween that are, in turn, respectively accessible to the various wiper sets of the various switching mechanism IOOA, etc, arranged in the vertical tier in the supporting structure. Accordingly, the sections of the contact strips covered by the clamps 12A. constitute connecting multiples between the effective contact sections thereof that may be employed for marking purposes between the wiper sets of the various switching mechanisms having access thereto.

Recapitulating it is pointed out that the switch ing mechanism IOIlA, etc., are carried by the supporting structure including the elements 46I 462, 403, 464, etc., in vertically stacked relation in what may be termed the Z direction. Likewise, the contact band 65 extends vertically providing adjacent sections spaced apart substantially the fixed distance Z in the Z direction and accessible to the respective switching mechanisms. In each section of the contact bank 65, the ten individual contact units "I2 are spaced longitudinally apart substantially the fixed distance X in the X direction and corresponding to the longitudinal steps of the primary carriages of the switching mechanisms I 68A, etc. Further, the four sections of the contact bank 65 are spaced longitudinally apart corresponding to the distances between the various pairs of wipers in the two individual sets of switching mechanisms in the two wiper sets of the switching mechanisms 466A, etc. Finally, in each contact unit 12, the individual contact strips 66 are spaced apart laterally the substantially fixed distance Y in the Y direction corresponding to the lat eral steps of the secondary carriages of the switching mechanisms IIlilA, etc.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 1, 1B, 2 and 2B, the switching apparatus there illustrated comprises the second form of the switching mechanism I660 of the escapement drive type, the contact bank structure 65 and the supporting structure previously described. The details of the switching mechanism IHIIC, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, are, of course, identical to the corresponding details of the switching mechanism IIIUA previously described; likewise, the primary control contact structure 265 shown in Figs. 3 and 4 is incorporated in the switching mechanism IUIIC; and a plurality of the switching mechanisms IIIOC arranged in a vertical tier are commonly associated with the contact bank 55 of the construction and arrangement shown in Figs. 5 and 6. Accordingly in the interest of brevity, the present description of the switching mechanism I080 will be confined primarily to 14 the operation and release mechanisms therefor illustrated in Figs. 1B and '23; however, it will be understood that the elements shown in Figs. 1B and 2B, are connected to the elements shown in Figs. 1 and 2, as previously noted.

The switching mechanism IOIIC comprises a drive magnet 150, a shift magnet 96C and a release magnet IC provided with common magnetic structure I6I secured to the upper surface of the right-hand end of the base plate 32. The drive magnet is provided with a heel piece I 63a carrying a pivot pin I63 upon which an armature I62 is pivotally mounted. The outer end of the armature I62 carries a pivot pin 168a upon which a pawl I68 is mounted, the pawl I68 cooperating with teeth formed on the rear edge of the right-hand end of the rack 30 and constituting a ratchet 36a. The pawl I68 is biased in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I68a by a coil spring I9I extending between the pawl I66 and the armature I62. The arma ture I62 is biased in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I63 by a coil spring I62a extending between the armature I62 and a pin I16a; carried by the upper surface of the base plate 32. Also an upstanding post H6!) is secured to the upper surface of the base plate 32 and is provided with a tapped opening therein receiving a threaded stop I engaging the adjacent outer end of the armature I62 in order to establish the stroke thereof. The shift magnet 96C is provided with an armature I8I pivotally mounted upon a screw I88 carried by the base plate 32; the armature I8I being provided with two legs I82 and I83. The outer end of the leg I82 is secured by the pin I00 to the slide 96 that, in turn, is connected by the pin -I8I to the lever I02 supported by the screw I03 and carrying the trip 46 cooperating with the lug 31a formed on the latch lever 31.

The release magnet IIISC is provided with an armature I65 pivotally mounted upon a pivot pin I650; carried by the associated magnetic structure I6I. Also the base plate 32 carries a bracket I69a supporting a detent I69 that also engages the teeth of the ratchet 38a formed on the rack 30. Also a substantially U-shaped element I61 is pivotally mounted upon a screw I61a, carried by the base plate 32 and provided with front and rear arms I61b and I 610. The rear arm 1610 is connected by a pin I66a to a link I66 that, in turn, is connected by a pin I661) to the armature I65 of the release magnet III5C. When the armature I 65 of the release magnet I650 occupies its restored position rotated in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I65a, the element I 61 is rotated in the clockwise direction about the screw I61a by the link I66; whereby the arm I611) is disposed forwardly with respect to the pawl I68 and the detent I69. However, the arm I611) is disposed in cooperating relation with respect to the pawl I68 and the detent I69 and is arranged when the element I61 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the screw I61a to engage the pawl I68 and the detent I69 moving them from engagement with two associated teeth on the ratchet 38a carried by the rack 30.

Further the base plate 32 carries two laterally spaced apart brackets I14 on the right-hand upper surface thereof upon which a substantially U-shaped fixture I12 is pivotally mounted upon two oppositely directed pivot pins I13. The fixture I12 is normally restrained in a clockwise direction about the pivot pins I13 by a coi spring I13 extending between the fixture I12 and a fixture I130. suitably secured to the righthand upper surface of the base plate 32. Further the fixture I13a carries an upper longitudinally extending detent I16 and a lower longitudinally extending detent I11 arranged in cooperating relation with respect to a plurality of longitudinally spaced apart openings I18 formed in the right-hand end of the rack 36. More particularly, the rack 36 has a normal longitudinal position toward the left and is biased toward the right by a coil spring I19 extending between a fixture, not shown, carried by the rack 36 and a fixture, not shown, carried by the upper right-hand end of the base plate 32. When the rack 36 occupies its normal longitudinal position, the extreme outer end of the lower detent I11 projects into an associated one of the openings I18 formed in the right-hand end of the rack 36 and the extreme outer end of the upper detent I16 engages a portion of the rack 36 disposed between two of the openings I16 formed therein. Further, the fixture I12 carries an arm I15 that is arranged between two forwardly projecting arms I16a and I11a respectively carried by the upper detent I16 and by the lower detent I11; which arrangement is utilized for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter. Finally, the fixture I12 carries a lug I1I that is adapted to cooperate with a lug I16 carried by the pawl I68 as explained more fully hereinafter.

Considering now the operation of the switching mechanism I660, the rack 36 normally occupies its normal longitudinal position toward the left; whereby the primary carriage I6 occupies its normal longitudinal position toward the left and the secondary carriage 6 occupies its normal lateral position toward the front. The winding of the release magnet I65C is first energized attracting and rotating the armature I65 in the clockwise direction about the. pivot pin I65a; whereby the link I66 rotates the fixture I61 in the counterclockwise direction about the screw I61a. When the fixture I61 is thus operated the arm I61b thereof engages the pawl I68 and the detent I69 moving them out of engagement with the two associated teeth on the ratchet 36a formed on the rack 36. More particularly, the pawl I66 is rotated in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin I68a against the bias of the coil spring IBI; whereby the lug I16 carried by the pawl I68 is brought into alignment with respect to the lug I1I carried by the fixture I 12. At this time the winding of the drive magnet 150 is energized attracting and rotating th armature I62 in the clockwise direction about the pivot pin I63 against the bias of the coil spring l62a; whereby the pawl I68 being disassociated from the ratchet 36a provided on the rack 36 is not effective to move the rack 36; however, the lug I16 carried by the pawl I68 engages the lug I1I carried by the fixture I12. Accordingly, the fixture I12 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pins I13 against the bias of the coil spring I13 causing the arm I15 to engage the arm I11a carried by the detent I11 in order to force the detent I11 out of the associated opening I18 formed in the rack 36. Also when the fixture I12 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pins I13, the arm I15 disengages the arm I16a carried by the detent I 16 unblocking movement of the detent I16 toward the rack 36. When the lower detent I11 disengages the associated opening I18 formed in the rack 36, the coil spring I19 slides the rack 36 toward the right; whereby the upper detent I16 enters the associated opening I18 formed in the rack 36. At this time the windin of the driving magnet 15C is deener ized; whereby the armature I62 is released and rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin I63 by the coil spring IBM in order to cause the lug I16 carried by the pawl I68 to disengage the lug I1I carried by the fixture I12. Accordingly, the fixture I12 is rotated in the clockwise direction about the pivot pins I13 by the coil spring I13. When the fixture I12 is thus operated the arm I15 thereof disengages the arm I11a carried by the lower detent I11 permitting the detent I11 to enter the associated opening I18 formed in the rack 36. Also the arm I15 carried by the fixture I12 engages the arm I16a carried by the upper detent I16 in order to move the upper detent I16 from the associated opening I18 formed in the rack 36. At this time the coil spring I19 effects any necessary adjustment of the rack 36 toward the right in order to complete the full first step thereof. Accordingly, when the winding of the drive magnet 15C is enerized and then deenergized while the winding of the release magnet I65C is energized the rack 36 is moved by the coil spring I16 from its normal longitudinal position one step toward the right as a consequence of the operation of the escapement arrangement, including the upper and lower detents I16 and I11 cooperating with the openings I18 formed in the rack 36, and of the movements of the fixture I12 by the pawl I68 incident to the operation and subsequent restoration of the armature I62.

At this time the winding of the drive magnet is energized and deenergized as explained above a primary number of times while the winding of the release magnet I650 is energized and while the latch 46 latches the latching arm 31 to the rack 36 in order tto latch the primary carriage I6 to the rack 36; whereby the primary carriage I6 is moved from its normal longitudinal position a corresponding number of steps toward the right. After the primary carriage I6 has been operated as described above the required number of steps away from its normal longitudinal position, the winding of the shift magnet 960 is energized; whereby the armature I8I is attracted and rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the screw I88 moving the slide 99 toward the front of the base plate 32 and causing the trip 46 to move the latch 46 out of the notch 42 formed in the front edge of the rack 36 and into the aligned notch 43 formed in the latching plate 44; all in the manner described in connection with the operation of the mechanism I66A. At this time the primary carriage I6 is unlatched from the rack 36 and is latched against further longitudinal movement to the latching plate 44.

At this time while the winding of the shift magnet 96C and the winding of the release magnet I65C are energized, the winding of the drive magnet 15C is energized and then deenergized in order to permit the escapement mechanism to move the rack 36 an additional step in the longitudinal direction toward the right. At this time the notch 42 formed in the front edge of the rack 36 is moved out of alignment with the latch 46 carried by the latching lever 31; whereby the latching lever 31 is restrained in its operated position against the bias of the leaf spring 38 by the smooth front surface of the rack 36; whereupon the winding of the shift magnet 960 may '17 bedeenergized; Thereafter, while the winding ofthe release magnet I 050 is energized, the winding of the drive magnet 15C is energized and then deenergized the required number of times.

in order to complete the required number of additional operations thereof following energiza-- tionof the winding of the shift magnet 95C; whereby the additional steps imparted by the coil spring I19 to the rack 39 cause the secondary carriage 9 to be projected from its normal lat eral position toward the rear a corresponding number of steps by virtue of the operation of the drive mechanism including the gears 29 and 25 respectively meshing the teeth provided on the left-hand end of the rack 30 and the teeth provided on the rack 24. At this time the winding of the release magnet I050 may be deenergized releasing the armature I65; whereby the armature IE is rotated in the counterclockwise directionabout the pivot pin I65a through the link I 6 6 as a consequence of rotation of the fixture I61 in the clockwise direction about the screw I61a' due to the resiliency of the detent I69 and the bias of the pawl I68 toward the ratchet 3%. provided on the right-hand end of the rack at. More particularly, the arm I611) ofthe fixture I68 disengages the pawl I68 and the detent I653;

whereby the pawl I68 and the detent I69 re-,

engage the teeth on the ratchet 30a provided on the right-hand end of the rack 30.

Recapitulating, a primary operation of the drive magnet 150 while the release magnet I050 is operated and prior to operation of the shift magnet 96C effects primary escapement of the rack 30' and the consequent primary operation of the primary carriage I6; while secondary operation of the drive magnet, 150, while the re lease magnet I050 is operated and subsequent to operation of the shift magnet 96C, effectssecondary escapement of the rack 30 and the consequent" secondary operation of the secondary carriage 9. For example, in the event the drive magnet 150 is operated X number of times while the release magnet I05C is operated and prior to operation of the shift magnet 96C and is then operated Y number of times while the release magnet III5C is operated and subsequent to operation of the shift magnet 950, the primary carriage I6 is operated X steps in the longitudinal direction and the secondary carriage 9 is operated Y stepsin the lateral direction; whereby the X longitudinal position and the Y lateral posi-' tion set the two wiper sets carried by the secondary wiper carriage 9 to select the two corresponding lines in the two groups of 100 lines each. Thereafter, one of the two lines thus selected. may be selected by external relays, not shown, merely by selecting one of the two wiper setsv mentioned.

In order to release the switching mechanism I000 after operation thereof in the manner described above, the winding of the drive magnet 150 is energized and deenergized the required number of times while the release magnet W5C occupies its restored position. Each time the drive magnet 15C is thus operatedthe armature I62 is operated in order to effect operation of the pawl I68 in the manner previously explained. At this time the lug I10 carried by the pawl I68 is moved out of cooperating relation with the lug I1I carried by the fixture I12 since the pawl I68 occupies its normal position rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin IIiBa by the coil spring I9I; whereby operation of the pawl I68 does not effect operation of the fixture I12 at-this time; however, each time the pawl I63 is operated, the ratchet a carried on the righ-hand end of the rack 30 is operated and restrained in its operated position by'the detent 26%; whereby the rack 30 is slid step by step in the longitudinal direction toward the left back into its normal longitudinal position against the bias of the coil spring I19. The initial movement of the rack 30 toward the left effects retraction of the secondary carriage 9 back into its normal lateral position; whereupon the notch 42 formed inthe front edge of the rack 39 is moved into alignment with the latch 46. At this time the latching lever 31 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the pivot pin 39 by the leaf spring 38 causing the latch 40 to enter the notch 42 formed in the front edge of the rack 39 and causing the latch II to disengage the notch formed in the latching plate 64. Continued movement ofthe rack 30 toward the left effects movement of the primary carriage I6 toward the left back into its normal longitudinal position. At this time the switching mechanism S000 is completely released.

Further the switching mechanism IMC comprises the primary control contact structure 205 well as a set of shift control switch springs I81.

The set of switchsprings I81 is mounted upon a bracket I81a by suitably intervening insulating.

an insulator I83a carried on the outer end of thearm I83 provided on the armature ISI as previously noted. Accordingly, when the winding of the shift magnet 960 is energized, the armature Ifii is attracted and rotated in the counterclockwise direction about the screw I88 causing the insulator I83a to operate the set of switch springs I81. Thus the set of switch springs I81 is operated when the armature I8I is operated and subsequently restored.

Further the switching mechanism II'IflC comprises a set of impulsing springs I88 mounted upon a bracket ISBa by suitable intervening insulating strips; which bracket I880, is suitably secured to the right-hand upper surface of the base plate 32. The switch springs I88 are operated by an insulator I 88b secured to the armature I62. Accordingly, each time the winding of the driving magnet 150 is energized and then deenergized, the armature I62 operates and then restores the set of switch springs I88 through the insulator I881).

The relationship between the switching'mechanisms WOC, etc., carried by the supporting structure in vertically stacked relation with respect to the associated contact bank is the same as that previously described in connection with the switching mechanisms IBQA, etc.

In view of the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided in automatic switching apparatus of the type including primary and secondary carriages, improved mechanism for selectively operating the primary and secondary carriages and for restoring the secondary and primary carriages. apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1, 1A, 2, 2A, 3, 4, 5 and 6 is disclosed and claimed in the copending application of Hans Sengeb-usch, Serial No. 792,- 510, filed December 18, 1947.

While there has been described what is at present considered to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood that The form of the switching various modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a switching unit carried by said support and mounted for movements with respect thereto, a drive bar carried by said support and mounted for movements in first and second opposed directions with respect thereto, means responsive to the movements of said drive bar for selectively moving said switching unit, a spring biasing said drive bar in said first direction, drive mechanism operative to move said drive bar in said second direction against the bias of said spring, an escapement mechanism operative to control movement of said drive bar in said first direction by said spring, means for selecting either one of said mechanisms, and means including a single drive motor for operating the selected one of said mechanisms.

2. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a switching unit carried by said support and mounted for movements with respect thereto, a drive bar carried by said support and mounted for movements in first and second opposed directions with respect thereto, a drive unit responsive to movement of said drive bar in said first direction for selectively operating said switching unit and responsive to movement of said drive bar in said second direction for restoring said switching unit, a spring biasing said drive bar in said first direction, drive mechanism operative to move said drive bar in said second direction against the bias of said spring, an escapement mechanism operative to control movement of said drive bar in said first direction by said spring, means for selecting either one of said mechanisms, and means including a single drive motor for operating the selected one of said mechanisms.

3. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a primary carriage carried by said support and having a normal primary position and mounted for primary movement with respect thereto, a secondary carriage carried by said primary carriage and having a normal secondary position and mounted for secondary movement with respect thereto,'a contact controlling element carried by said secondary carriage, a drive bar carried by said support and having a normal position and mounted for movement in first and second opposed directions with respect thereto, a drive unit having a normal position in which it is responsive to initial movement in one of said directions of said drive bar for correspondingly operating said primary carriage away from said normal primary position and responsive to continued movement in the other of said directions of said drive bar for correspondingly restoring said primary carriage to said normal primary position and an operated position in which it is responsive to continued movement in said one direction of said drive bar for correspondingly operating said secondary carriage away from said normal secondary position and responsive to initial movement in said other direction of said drive bar for correspondingly restoring said secondary carriage to said normal secondary position, means for selectively operating said drive unit between its normal position and its operated position, a spring biasing said drive bar in said first direction, drive mechanism operative to move said drive bar in said second capement mechanism operative to control movement of said drive bar in said first direction by said spring, means for selecting either one of said mechanisms, and means including a single drive motor for operating the selected one of said mechanisms.

4. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a switching unit carried by said support and mounted for movements with respect thereto, a drive bar carried by said support and mounted for movements in first and second opposed directions with respect thereto, means responsive to the movements of said drive bar for selectively moving said switching unit, a spring biasing said drive bar in said first direction, transmission mechanism operative to move said drive bar in said second direction against the bias of said spring, an escapement mechanism operative to control movement of said drive bar in said first direction by said spring, a drive motor, means for selectively operatively associating said drive motor with said transmission mechanism and with said escapement mechanism, and means including said drive motor for selectively operating the one of said mechanisms with which said drive motor is operatively associated.

5. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a switching unit carried by said support and mounted for movements with respect thereto, a drive bar carried by said support and mounted for movements in first and second opposed directions with respect thereto, means responsive to the movements of said drive bar for selectively moving said switching unit, a spring biasing said drive bar in said first direction, transmission mechanism operative to move said drive bar in said second direction against the bias of said spring, an escapement mechanism operative to control movement of said drive bar in said first direction by said spring, a drive magnet, means including a release magnet for selectively operatively associating said drive magnet with said transmission mechanism and with said escapement mechanism, and means including said drive magnet for selectively operating the one of said mechanisms with which said drive magnet is operatively associated.

6. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a switching unit carried by said support and mounted for movements with respect thereto, a

drive bar carried by said support and mounted for movements in first and second opposed directions with respect thereto, means responsive to the means for selectively operatively associating said'v drive motor with said pawl-ratchet mechanism and with said escapement mechanism, and means including said drive motor for selectively operating the one of said mechanisms with which said drive motor is operatively associated.

'7. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a switching unit'carried by said support and mounted for movements with respect thereto, a

drive bar carried by said support and mounted for movements in first and second opposed directions with respect thereto, means responsive to the movements of said drive bar for selectively moving said switching unit, a spring biasing said drive bar in said first direction, a pawl-ratchet mechanism operative to move said drive bar step by step in said second direction against the bias of said spring, an escapement mechanism operative to control step-by-step movement of said drive bar in said first direction by said spring, a drive motor normally operatively associated with one of said mechanisms, means including a release magnet for operatively disassociating said drive motor from said one mechanism and for operatively as sociating it with the other of said mechanisms, and means including said drive motor for selectively operating the one of said mechanism with which said drive motor is operatively associated.

8. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a switching unit carried by said support and mounted for movements with respect thereto, a drive bar carried by said support and mounted for movements in first and second opposed directions with respect thereto, means responsive to the movements of said drive bar for selectively moving said switching unit, a spring biasing said drive bar in said first direction, a pawl-ratchet mechanism operative to move said drive bar step by step in said second. direction against the bias of said spring, an escapement mechanism operative to control step-by-step movement of said drive bar in said first direction by said spring, a drive magnet having an armature, means for selectively operatively associating said armature with pawl-ratchet mechanism and with said escapement mechanism, and means including said armature for selectively operating the one of said mechanisms with which said armature is operatively associated.

9. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a primary carriage carried by said support and having a normal primary position and mounted for primary movement with respect thereto, a secondary carriage carried by said primary carriage and having a normal secondary position and mounted for secondary movement with respect thereto, a contact controlling element carried by said secondary carriage, a spring for moving said primary carriage away from said normal primary position and for moving said secondary carriage away from said normal secondary position, escapement mechanism operative to control said movement of said primary carriage and said movement of said secondary carriage by said spring, transmission mechanism operative to move said secondary carriage back into said normal secondary position and to move said primary carriage back into said normal primary position and to strain again said spring, a drive motor, means for selectively operatively associating said drive motor with escapement mechanism and with said transmission mechanism, and means including said drive motor for selectively operating the one of said mechanisms with which said drive motor is operatively associated.

10. Switching apparatus comprising a support, a primary carriage carried by said support and having a normal primary position and mounted for primary movement with respect thereto, a secondary carriage carried by said primary carriage and having a normal secondary position and mounted for secondary movement with respect thereto, a contact controlling element carried by said secondary carriage, a spring for moving said primary carriage away from said normal primary position and for moving said secondary carriage away from said normal secondary position, escapement mechanism operative to control said movement of said primary carriage and said movement of said secondary carriage by said spring, transmission mechanism operative to move said secondary carriage back in to said normal secondary position and to move said primary carriage back into said normal primary position and to strain again said spring, means including a shift magnet for selectively establishing movement of said primary carriage and movement of i said secondary carriage by said spring under the control of said escapement mechanism and by said transmission mechanism, a drive magnet, means including a release magnet for selectively operatively associating said drive magnet with said escapement mechanism and With said transmission mechanism, and means including said drive magnet for selectively operating the one of said mechanism with which said drive magnet is operatively associated.

' HANS SENGEBUSCH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,052,059 Sengebusch Aug. 25, 1936 2,l8,82 i Liemzen Feb. 28, 1939 2,218,833 Sengebusch Oct. 22, 1940 2,218,834 Sengebusch Oct. 22, 1940 2,242,340 Brander May 20, 1941 

